6th MAP Conference Embraces the Challenge to Cash

The 6th International Mint and Print (MAP) Conference took place in Dubai. Just under 200 delegates from around 90 institutions and 40 countries took part in the event, organised by Mazen Hamden, with approximately 25% attending for the first time.

Larry Felix, Conference Chairman, and former Director of the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), welcomed delegates to the event, his introductory speech covering recent trends in the industry, from less use of cash during COVID to currently an increase in cash usage with growing interest rates, as well as the potential threat from a possible new era of CBDCs.

The three-day event compromised 10 sessions covering design, origination materials and substrates, printing, security features, currency processing, minting and precious metals, CBDs, and contingency planning, and concluded with a panel discussion on challenges and opportunities.